BOOK BLOG TOUR for Fatima: The Apparition that Changed the World - Book Review

Happy Feast Day!

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima.   This day also marks the 100th year anniversary of the apparitions at Fatima, Portugual.  It is fitting therefore that Catholic author and well-known blogger, Jean Heimann 's wonderful new book has been published as we commemorate this blessed occasion.  The book is Fatima:  The Apparition that Changed the World.  This book must be really special as it is not only published by Tan Books, a publishing company noted for their fine Catholic books, but the introduction was written by none other than David Carollo, the executive director of the World Apostolate of Fatima.

Those of us who have a devotion to Our Lady of Fatima will notice that there are plenty of new books available during this  Fatima centennial.  Personally speaking, I was having a hard time wondering which book I should read.  I was looking for a book that would explain in easy to understand terms, chronologically, the events that occurred, and written without any personal bias.  I really believe it was Divine Providence that led me to Jean Heimann's book.  It was as if it were custom written with my specifications in mind.  I think this book, which is not at all long yet chock-filled with pertinent information on all things relating to the Fatima apparitions, will appeal to just about everyone.  All ages, male and female, religious and the laity and even non-Catholics will find this little treasure of a book an invaluable resource.

The book is written in Jean's clear style of writing.  The book begins with a comprehensive timeline of events.  There are many good books that have been written to explain Our Lady of Fatima's messages to the three young shepherd children, but I cannot recall one that specifically explains not only the messages but also when things occurred.  The fact that Jean took the time to give us the timeline alone makes this book a valuable Fatima resource.

Along with the timeline of all the events, there are beautiful photographs throughout the book.  There are also explanations of certain terms which makes the Fatima experience more meaningful.  For example, the writer explains quite clearly what our lady meant by reparation.  It stresses the importance of our Lady's messages such as penance, prayers and sacrifices for poor sinners.  She gives background on the history of the holy rosary.  Her writing also gives us a better impression on the characters of the shepherd children.  This is important because we understand them to be holy children but also your normal, playful children as well.

Jean does not shy away from the scarier messages of hell either.  The reader will no doubt try to avoid hell as much as possible.  She also writes about the Fatima popes and their handling of the Our Lady's messages.

I highly recommend this beautiful little book.  It will give the reader a better appreciation for this Fatima jubilee.

Book Review - The Angel of Portugal at Fatima

Adoration Chapel - World Apostolate of Fatima, NJ

I recently had the pleasure of reading a short book on the Angel of Portugal appearance at Fatima written by Father William Wagner, ORC (Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross.  This angel is more commonly known as the Angel of Peace.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fatima, we are seeing many books published on the subject of the apparitions and our lady's messages.  Some books are controversial in nature and should be read with care.

The Angel of Portugal at Fatima is different.  It tells the history of the angel's apparition to the three shepherd children prior to the Blessed Mother's appearance.  Since the book comes from Opus Angelorum, much is learned about the angel's appearance to these little children.

The angel appeared to the three children, six times just like our Lady did.  Each time the angel appeared, he taught the children with many lessons.  The spiritual growth and maturity of the children is quite remarkable in how little time they grew in sanctity and understanding.  They progressed from fun-loving children to deeply reverent, with a mission to accomplish for the salvation of souls.  These lessons are also applicable today, for all of us.

It is quite interesting how much one learns about the angel, the Biblical connection, and even the Islamic connection.  The emphasis on a loving God, Holy Communion, the Holy Eucharist is an important part of this book. You will read how the angel taught the children certain prayers and how to pray.  He taught them how to make sacrifices for sinners and how the youngest of them all, really embraced this way of saving sinners.  You will learn how little Francisco had a love our our Eucharistic Lord and was happiest during adoration.

This is a book you want to read slowly and while taking notes.

The release date for the book is July 12, 2016.

To order more booklets contact:

Opus Sanctorum Angelorum

164 Apollo Rd SE

Carrollton, OH 44615

Tel. (330) 969-9900

Or via our website: www.opusangelorum.org

contact@opusangelorum.org

Pricing:

$3 (1-9 copies)

$2.50 (10 to 49 copies)

$2 (50-99 copies)

$1.80 (100 or more copies)

(Shipping not included)

Learning to Love with the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir - Book Review

Jean Heimann,  known for her extensive knowledge of our saintly friends, and who blogs at Catholic Fire, has written a new book  Learning to Love with the Saints:  A Spiritual Memoir.

When I first received the book, I was already reading three other books that I wanted to finish before Lent was over, but my curiosity took over and I took a peek at Jean's book.  Within a day or so, I had finished reading Jean's memoir.

I was touched by the way that Jean shared intimate details of her life.  We come to learn about a girl, a teenager, and a woman named Jean, who came from a good and devout Catholic family.  She may have made mistakes or made the wrong choices along the way.  Yet, she never gave up.  Her love for God has made her who she is today and that is evident by reading this special book.  There is an admirable quality in a writer who writes from the heart without trying to impress anyone.

Accompanying her admissions and family memories are pertinent quotes and qualities of some saints who came to her help during difficult times in her life.  One cannot help but realize how much her life, both during the good and bad times, was influenced by these saints. It is evident that the ones who first influenced her most were her own saintly parents.

After all these years of getting to know Jean in the blogging circles and other social media, I have grown to respect her as being a fine, devout Catholic.  My admiration has grown even more because of her sincerity in sharing facts about herself that could not have been easy to write about or even to remember.  Her humility, compassion, and trust in God is clear on those pages of her book.

There are many things in the book most readers may relate to, such as growing up in a large family, having loving parents who sacrifice for their children, spreading our wings, and making mistakes. In the end, the book is about trusting in the Lord and his friends, the Saints.

Please do yourself a favor and read this wonderful spiritual memoir.

Book Blog Tour Schedule for Learning to Love with the Saints:  A Spiritual Memoir

Here is the blog tour schedule:

Friday, May 13 -- Ellen Gable Hrkach, Review, Plot, Line, and Sinker   

Saturday, May 14 -- Rosemary Bogdan, Review, A Catholic Mother’s Thoughts 

Sunday, May 15 -- Carolyn Astfalk, Review, My Scribbler’s Heart Blog 
Book Giveaway!

Monday, May 16 -- Lisa Mladinich, Interview, Patheos 

Tuesday, May 17—Nancy HC Ward, Review, Joy Alive in our Hearts 
Book Giveaway!

Wednesday, May 18 -- Esther Gefroh., Review, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii 

Thursday, May 19 -- Barb Szyszkiewicz, Review, Franciscan Mom    
Book Giveaway! and Catholic Mom  

Friday, May 20--Jeannie Ewing, Interview, Love Alone Creates  
Book Giveaway!

Saturday, May 21-- Patrice Faganant McArthur, Review, Spiritual Woman 

Sunday, May 22 -- Melanie Jean Juneau, Review, Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and Joy of Nine  

Monday, May 23--Virginia Lieto, Review, Virginia Lieto  Book Giveaway!

Tuesday, May 24 -- Tony Agnesi, Review, Finding God’s Grace in Everyday Life 

Something Other Than God

"Let go of my book!"

Unless there is an alternate internet universe you visit, you know that Jennifer Fulwiler's much anticipated conversion story/memoirs, has been released.

I received my book yesterday and already I am finding it hard to put down.  At the present I am on Chapter 4.  But I can tell you, she is a very amusing, entertaining and interesting writer.  I think I was on the second page and she had me chuckling.

I won't ruin the book for you, (I actually can't, being only on chapter 4) but I will encourage you to read the story of how an atheist became a devout Catholic wife and mother.

SOTG can be ordered on Amazon in both hardcover or for your Kindle device.

Catholic Fiction at its Best

Picture source

For a while I saw the name of Ellen Gable Hrkach just about everywhere on the social networking sites. She is a Catholic fiction writer who also blogs at Plot, Line and Sinker. As a lover of entertaining fiction, that fact not only caught my attention but I couldn't resist reading her books. Since that time, I have read three of Mrs. Hrkach's books and loved each and every one of them.

The first one I read was Stealing Jenny. The book was so intriguing that I think I read it in about a day or so. I was happy to read a good suspense story with a strong pro-life message.

The second book I read was a sweet coming of age book entitled Emily's Hope. This book was very different than Stealing Jenny but was just as interesting. I must admit the book reminded me of one of my favorite nieces so I was endeared to it. The story of main character Emily's maturity is very well written. Again, I enjoyed the Catholic pro-life message throughout the novel.

The third book I had the pleasure of reading was a period piece entitled In Name Only. What a story! It had an interesting little twist that I had not expected! What a love story!

For a more detailed description of these beautiful novels click Picture Source above.

All three books are available on Amazon in both book form and Kindle.

I can now add Ellen Gable Hrkach to my list of favorite fiction writers, right there next to Mary Higgins Clark.

Book Review - The Donkey That No One Could Ride

Catholic writer Anthony DeStefano has been very busy! I just read his newest book and couldn't wait to review it for you. This is a children's book written in rhymes. It is a very special little book to teach Catholic children not only about Jesus but also a lesson in trusting God.

The illustrations in the book are beautiful and touching as well. One almost heart wrenching illustration is when the donkey had tears in his eyes. Even my 21 year old son remarked "Poor donkey!". You can see for yourself here.

This little book will make a wonderful gift for any child for Easter. I highly recommend it.

New Book by Anthony DeStefano - “I Just Can’t Take It Anymore!”

Anthony DeStafano

Picture source

One of my new favorite Catholic writers has a new book! I Just Can't Take it Anymore! is a delightful little book filled with amusing pictures. Yet, this powerful little book has a deeper message about how to handle the difficult times in our lives.

The press release for this book can be found here. Also, be sure to click here to read a sample page.

I really enjoyed reading the book. It also came at a good time because I needed to take a deep breath and remember what is really important. If you want to find the answer you may be looking for, you need to read the little book for yourself.

Which brings me to a little surprise...

Anthony DeStefano graciously offered one book to give away to one of my friends/readers of this blog.

So all you have to do is either leave a comment here letting me know you would like to entry the drawing for this book give-a-way or email me with the same message. My email can be found at the side bar.

The deadline for entering is January 31st.

I hope you win :-)

Book Review - The Invisible World by Anthony Destefano

I had no idea what to expect from this new book by best selling author of A Travel Guide to Heaven. The following did catch my interest very quickly: "Understanding Angels, Demons and the Spiritual Realities That Surround Us."

This book was great! I love Mr. DeStefano's writing style and I appreciate his insight into the faith.  He has a wonderful way of explaining even complex subject matters, e.g. the spirituality of the angels, how they travel, their thinking process,  the way they communicate, etc.. I do not think there is anything too complicated for him to explain with much clarity for the reader. It is very refreshing to read an author that writes like this...theology for common folks.

The book covered all things invisible to our naked human eyes, but very visible to our souls. The reader will read about God, the devil, angels, demons, good vs. evil, the fight for our souls, the meaning of suffering ... He inserts personal experiences in order to make a point. For example, one powerful story was when he explained why the devil continues to wallow in his misery and obstinacy in hell. At this point he shared a story from his youth when he did something wrong and because of pride, refused to apologize. If your family was anything like mine, you will easily relate to his anecdotes.

The book was not easy to put down. It was an attention-grabber from the very first chapter until the end. Mr. DeStefano also touched on God's divine mercy and also on the spiritual childhood which was St. Therese' doctrine. There is just so much he covered! Amazing!

He also revealed the "secret" for seeing the invisible world.  His method is a very common sense approach but I am certain it will work for all who try it.

I think this book should not only be read by everyone but it will be invaluable to those who have fallen away from the Church.  I think the reader will find some answers he or she to some interesting questions.

You can buy this book or any other of Anthony DeStefano's books here.

Book Review: The Third Testament

Picture source

I do not know whether to thank John Eklund or not for introducing me to his novel.  I gave up reading fiction during Lent. Yet, when I received this book and saw the beautiful cover with the stained glassed pictures of saints, I took a sneak peak. Before I knew it, I finished the book. Oh well...

The Third Testament is a book of fiction by the author's own account. It could also be categorized as historical fiction for it is filled with interesting bits of Catholic history and world history.  Many of the historical people and events have piqued my interest.  I would now like to learn more about them. The Miracle of Dunkirk is just one such example.

The novel's story is of a college professor employed at a small Catholic college somewhere in Illinois. The book starts off with his telling of an interesting tale out of Norse Mythology. As a fan of mythology, though I prefer Greek or Roman myths, I enjoyed the story very much.  The story is narrated by the professor himself. He is a widower, the father of a grown daughter whom he loves very much.

The story is an interesting tale of a spiritually inspired directive via dreams where the professor is chosen to write the third part of the Holy Bible, hence the Third Testament. I had expected to read a tale of the third testament via stories of fiction. Instead, the third testament itself started off with the persecution of the early Christians and continued onto the present time in history.   I was intrigued by the juxtapositioning of the professor's quest to complete this monumental writing task while bearing some heavy crosses in his own life.

There is also a strong element of good vs. evil in this book.

As usual with a good book, I was sorry that the story ended.  As I mentioned above, the writer has made reference to certain events in history which I would like to learn more about.  Another example I would choose would be that of the evil of communism.  It is no wonder that Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who also hailed from Illinois, inexhaustibly combated communism during his adult lifetime.

I highly recommend The Third Testament as it is not only enjoyable to read but hopefully you will learn one or two new things like I did.

To learn more about The Third Testament or its author and/or to order the book, please visit The Third Testament. You will also find interesting photos of places mentioned in the book, Q & A, etc.

BTW, I was just kidding. I really want to thank Mr. Eklund for the privilege of reading and reviewing his wonderful first novel.

"Little Star" by Anthony DiStefano and Read by Pat Boone

If you may remember, I recently reviewed this beautiful little book here.

Now you can listen to it read by singer Pat Boone. Thanks to Anthony DiStefano for sharing this with me.

Book Review - Little Star

Little Star is Anthony DeStefano's newest book. Many of you may be familiar with other of Mr. DeStefano's books, especially the popular A Travel Guide to Heaven. His newest book is a children's book but one that even adults will enjoy reading. I found it to be amusing and very touching as it tugged at my heartstrings.

Little Star is the smallest of all the stars in the universe. He was so small that he was virtually ignored by all the other stars. He is made to feel as if he did not matter.  Yet on one special night, he encounters a king like no other and learns about love and sacrifice.

I do not want to give away much of the story. However, for those of you who may want to learn more about the book and the story behind it, you can click here for the press release.

This book may soon become a family favorite for Christmas. The illustrations by Mark Elliot give an old-fashioned quality to the story, especially in the family scenes.  I particularly liked the way Little Star was drawn.  I thought that the little tuft of hair on top of Little Star's head was rather whimsical.

I think this darling little book would make a wonderful gift for Christmas to give to someone you love. 

To order, click here.

Mahalo Mr. DeStefano for the early Christmas treat!

Book Review - No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy

"Amid the fiery splendor of all the glorious seraphim, Mary was crowned Queen of heaven's Angels and Saints.  But she is the Immaculate Queen of earthly sinners as well.  The world is full of her prodigal sons who scorn their Mother's house and waste their substance in riotous living, feeding their souls on the husks of sin.


Meanwhile their Mother "watches from afar off," praying endlessly for their repentance.  If they take one step only toward her, she runs the rest of the way to meet them.  The grace of repentance, which Jesus won for sinners, is given to them through Mary.


Habits of sin can be broken in Confession-if I have real sorrow.  I should ask Mary for it often."

From Father Patrick Peyton's 5th Glorious Mystery reflection in Rosary Prayer Book.

The above reflection could have been written by Father Peyton with the young Donald Calloway in mind.

By now, just about every Catholic should be familiar with Father Donald Calloway's incredible...actually, miraculous story of conversion. 

Some have referred to Father as a modern-day St. Augustine.  In actuality, even at his worst, St. Augustine could not have been as bad a boy as then Donald Calloway was.

I first heard Father Calloway's story on a DVD.  Then Father came to personally give testimony on his conversion at two Divine Mercy Conferences on Oahu.  In fact, when Father introduced himself to his audience, he noted that he did not think anyone had ever heard of him.  My son and I were thinking "not true, Father, not true".  At both conferences I asked around for his book on his conversion.  Surprisingly, at that time, there was no book on his conversion!

Father Calloway finally wrote about his conversion story in his new book No Turning Back.

Let me tell you: this is no run of the mill conversion story.  This is not a preachy conversion story with lots of scriptural references.  Although I appreciate other converts' stories like that, I personally find it a bit boring.  Father Calloway's book or story is not by any means boring!

More than half of the book's 262 pages are filled with Father's past life and bad experiences.

Right away Father starts off describing in vivid detail his infamous arrest and expulsion from Japan as a mere teen.   As I read this part of the story, I was thinking to myself...."He would have been so punished, if he were my son!" 

Father Calloway has a writing style all his own.  He writes as he speaks.  He writes as if talking one on one to a friend.  The book is an easy read not only because of the writing style, but because of Father's riveting life story.  I had to keep reminding myself all his experiences happened before he was even 20 years old!

Sometimes, Father's shares something that would just crack me up because I found it to be very funny.  I am not sure whether or not Father meant it to be told in a humorous way, but he really had me laughing and sharing some parts with my whole family, which then had them laughing.  Because I have heard Father speak in person, I am guessing he is naturally funny.  The part I am referring to here is his time in jail in the United States.

Another thought I kept having as I read the book is "I can't believe the guy in this story is a priest!"

Although Father did not shy back when sharing his intimate details, he carefully used his words for the reader so as not to offend but I appreciated Father's candor throughout the book.  Father really wanted to be quite honest and open in portraying his past.  This fact will make his conversion even more meaningful and will really impact the reader, especially if you are not familiar with his story. 

Divine Mercy is so evident in the life of this now famous priest.  It can only have been through God's Divine Mercy and of course, through Mary, that tough little guy, anti-Christian Donald Calloway, fully repented and gave his life to God and His Mother.  Father Donald continues to spread the necessary and important message of Divine Mercy wherever he is or wherever he goes.

It was at the first Divine Mercy conference that my son asked Father if he can now return to Japan.  At that time Father said he did not know.  For Japan's sake, I hope he can go back.

For more information on Father Calloway or to order his book please check out his website here.

Book Review: My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories

I am sad.

Why?  Well, I recently received a beautiful new book for young Catholic children, and my only son is now a college student.

Heidi Hess Saxton's new book My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories is reminiscent of the excellent Catholic Books for children from the '40s and '50s where one was never disappointed by the spiritual content, beautiful illustrations, whether in black and white or in color, and solid binding on a hard-covered book.

By the way, this lovely book contains the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur of the Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville, the Most Reverend David R. Choby, STB, JCL. This is one mark of a solid Catholic book for me.

My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories has chapter after chapter of stories of the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Since the readings this week in Mass were from the Book of Samuel, I will focus of that story for you.

Hannah and Samuel

Heidi begins each story with a short paragraph to make the story more understandable to the child.

"Have you ever prayed urgently for something, only to be disappointed when God didn't answer your prayer like you wanted...?

What child or even adult cannot relate to the question posed by Heidi at the beginning of Hannah and Samuel?

The passages are taken from the Holy Bible.  Heidi has kept the wording true to Scripture, utilizing the NRSV Catholic Text.  The fact that she did that was a big plus for me.  Many bible stories that I have read, have unfortunately dumbed down the words as if a child were not sufficiently intelligent to be able to comprehend God's words.  You will not find that problem here.

Following each story, there is a beautiful little prayer which would be good for parent and child to recite together.

I know when my son was young, he would have questions following any interesting story, especially from the Holy Bible.  Heidi knew that children's interest may be peaked by some of the stories.  She added a Going Deeper part to the stories where she gives citations with an activity which will instruct the child to read something further, like from the Catechism of the Catholic Church,  and also do something with their family to further make the story come alive.

I know I mentioned my son was too old for this kind of book. But you know what?  My mom and son cannot wait until I lend them the book to read.

By the way, considering the quality of the binding, as mentioned above, the beautiful illustrations and the overall look of this book, it sells for an incredible price of 19.99.  I really thought I would see at least 35.00 on the back of the book!

Thank you Heidi for this treasure which is now a part of our permanent Catholic library.

Book Review - Soul Within a Peach

"My name is Florence. I am a child of God. I do God's will."

Although this book was written about and by a Catholic woman born and raised in Hawaii , I would not have known about it if it were not for one of my dear friends now deceased whose book I now own.

Soul Within a Peach is about the life, especially the spiritual life of Florence Sau Kin. It was ghost-written by her spiritual son Fr. Francis Chun, a Catholic priest in Milwaukee .

In the beginning Florence talks about her life as a child. She was born in Hawaii to Chinese parents and raised a Buddhist. The way she relates her difficult early childhood is reminiscent of the old tragic Chinese novels and films. It is more a story of old China than it is about someone in Hawaii, even before Statehood.

Even as a young child, many people, especially members of her own family took advantage of young Florence.

"I never realized how hard my life was as a child and teenager until I began writing this book for God. My suffering in life began in childhood and continued throughout my life. Suffering has made me a strong woman, brought me closer to God, and taught me His spiritual lessons, which I want to share with you."

I will share one incident here to illustrate what little Florence had to endure at the hands of a family member. One of her father's sisters had a very sick husband. He was admitted to the hospital's tuberculosis ward. Since this aunt did not have any children of her own, she asked Florence's parents to let Florence keep her company. Amazingly, Florence's parents acquiesced to such a request and she ended up living with the aunt from ages five to eight.

."..The Chinese children of my generation were taught to obey without questioning. My time spent with my aunt was work. She made me do the dishes, dust the furniture and go on my knees to clean the wooden floor around the Chinese rugs with a dust pan and brush. If she found a dust speck, she made me dust everything again. She never allowed me to go out to play with the neighbors' children. Sometimes she punished me without reason by not giving me supper. The Chinese children of my generation were taught to obey without questioning, and God had made my soul an obedient one. So I learned to obey at a young age."

Later, this same aunt without Florence's prior knowledge or consent, would take Florence to China to live for a few years. The aunt somehow convinced Florence's parents to again part with their daughter.

Florence, obedient child of God, accepted these hardships early in life. These experience helped form her spiritually little by little.

It was while living in China that a medium revealed to Florence that she had "sin kwat" or saintly bones.

Florence explains that "Sin Kwat, saintly bones, can have two Chinese meanings: that the spirit of a saint has been reincarnated in the form of this person; or that this person is saintly herself."

No need to explain that it is sinful for Catholics to believe in fortunetellers, reincarnation, etc. but at the time, Florence as a Buddhist as aforesaid and this is what she remembered.

The years went on and she met a man who ultimately, but not through the best of situations became her husband. Her husband and his family were Catholic. He graduated from St. Louis School in Honolulu. Even though her married life was also a struggle and very difficult because of her husband and his family, it led her to the Catholic Church.

Florence had only a second grade education. Yet more importantly, she had great wisdom, a gift from the Holy Spirit, with whom she had a special relationship with, and much common sense. Throughout the book, Florence often refers to the "inner voice" speaking to her.

She was a kind woman who was dedicated to her husband, children, the stereotypically mean and unjust mother-in-law and everyone who asked for her help. Many times people sullied her reputation or took advantage of her open-handed and openhearted generosity.

Yet, each bad episode she took as a learning experience. She offered her sufferings to God and was always obedient to Him. She did not care how much she suffered as long as she did not offend God.

As I mentioned earlier, Florence had a ghostwriter because she lost her eyesight later in life. Father Chun did a very good job of writing the book without losing Florence's spirit of playfulness and child-like quality. Many times in the book I would laugh at incidents Florence shares. Many times too I wanted to smack some sense into Florence especially when she permitted others to take advantage of her kindness.

Whenever Florence shares a moment where she was hurt or suffered from someone's inconsiderateness, she shares a lesson for the reader.

To share an example, Florence was a big promoter of the Home Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Mateo Crawley-Boevey, a Sacred Hearts priest and member of the same order as Saint Damien, originated that devotion. She wanted everyone whom she helped enthrone their home, to spread the devotion to others.

"...I later learned that Dora never spread the Enthronement to other homes according to our agreement and plan. Through the years I've learned that many people perform religious acts to gain respect and praise for themselves instead of doing them to honor and praise God. When you take part in religious ceremonies, be sure to do so to give due thanks, honor and glory to God, and not for selfish reasons.

Many of us don't share our spiritual blessing with others. A true Christian life is a life of sharing, so we shouldn't keep good things just for ourselves. I tried to s hare the many blessings of the Enthronement with others because it was one of the greatest blessings I received from God. Having it in our home deepened our faith and reliance on God. If we welcome God into our homes ad hearts with love and gratitude, we will experience His presence and love in a special way through many special blessings."

I also found this book very interesting because of the places Florence described are all around my new hometown of Honolulu. She mentions certain churches, streets, etc. that are all very familiar to me.

It is sad that Florence passed away in 2000 before her book was published. I now wonder if I may have attended Mass or a Catholic function with her. I have asked a few people I know if they knew her but so far, I have to yet meet anyone who knew this amazingly simple yet saintly woman. I know my son's now deceased Godmother probably knew her since they both raised their families close by or the friend whose book I now have. But right now it is too late to ask them.

If you would like to obtain this book, be sure to check out Amazon.com. My mother read the book before me and she could not put it down. She bought two copies from Amazon and each one cost under $5.00 with shipping and handling.

Book Review - Serving God Joyfully: Right Here in Hawaii

It is a honor and a great pleasure to review Easter's new book, Serving God Joyfully: Right Here in Hawaii. This book is a wonderful compilation of the best of Catholic Hawaii.

It seemed like only yesterday that Easter shared with me her brainstorm that resulted in this book. Her idea was formed in part to support our priests and to help the homeless here in the Aloha State. She wanted so much to use the proceeds from the book sale to go for their assistance.

She worked diligently and tirelessly right until the book was actually published. Her work involved contacting many, many people around the diocese of Honolulu. I am sure many times she must have asked herself "Is it worth it?" As her friend I can honestly say, "you bet it is was worth it, Easter!"

This book is a Chicken Soup for the Catholic Hawaiian Soul (if you pardon the much used adage and description for an inspiring anthology book).

If you are a resident here in this beautiful place we call home, and especially if you are a Catholic, this book is at many times, the healing balm you may need to bring you closer to our God.

For me personally, it touched my heart and soul many times when I was not expecting it to. Like most practicing/devout Catholics here in Hawaii, we more or less know or know of each other. After all, this is not a really big place. Being a Catholic in Hawaii means you are part of a special ohana. Well some of our ohana members shared their special stories for Easter and for us, the reader.

Easter gave me a copy of the book (almost right off the presses) on a Sunday afternoon. She showed me where she lovingly inscribed it for me. I could not wait to go inside and start reading the long-awaited for book.

Of course, I started off with the stories written by by friends or those of whose names I was very familiar with. I think the first story I read was Pat P's story of her son who had contracted AIDS. She is a fellow parishioner and I was very familiar with her story and her sorrow. Another fellow parishioner's story I read that afternoon was Steve Odo's. His was a story of reversion I had known about and found inspiring because of the many Catholics Steve and his wife Caroline have helped come home. There were many other stories by some of the spiritual moms of priests, homeschooling moms, seminarians, a priest and other people who do a lot for the diocese's spirituality whose stories I was also familiar with or had heard. But it is an entirely different experience to read their own words in print.

One story was by my friend Dottie M.. She shared memories of her father. Having lost my father seven months ago, this one was one that touched me the most. I know it was hard for Dottie to share her private and personal story because it was so precious to her but she felt compelled and prompted by the Holy Spirit to do just that.

That is another thing I found very moving. Not a single person who shared a story did so out of any vainglory or self-serving purpose. On the contrary, each and every story reflects the sincerity and humility in the hearts of these individuals, who simply love God and want to serve him faithfully and joyfully.

There were a few stories by people I did not know. Some of them really surprised me because they were sometimes stories that I could relate to personally. There was one dear lady who felt she did not have much to write about. She had always been a faithful Catholic and continues to serve the Lord in her daily life. I liked that. I am glad she shared her story.

An additional and personal reflection by Easter, follows each story. This personal touch by Easter, made this book even more special. She engages us and challenges us to really reflect on what the writer was trying to convey through each particular story.

Lastly, you can see clearly how Easter brought our community, our ohana, together. Many of us did our small part in helping Easter when she asked. I know Easter wanted us all to share in this moment with her and all the actual writers. She also tries to help Catholic apostolates, organization and Catholic businesses by listing them in the back of the book. She is an unselfish servant of God who lives her life joyfully right here in Hawaii!

Easter, you are a true blessing and inspiration to Catholics not only in Hawaii, but everywhere.

BTW, there is also a message by our dear bishop of Honolulu, Bishop Silva.

To order Easter's new book, please visit Joy of Christ Press

Book Review - Herald of the Fatima Apparitions: John Haffert

I am finishing up a new book on the life Mr. John M. Haffert. But I did not want to wait any longer to review this fine biography. For those of you who are not familiar with his name, he is the co-founder, along with Monsignor Harold Colgan, of the Blue Army now the World Apostolate of Fatima.

Picture Source

This biography was written by Edna McGrew, a New Jersey based writer.

The main reason I was eager to read Ms. McGrew's new book was because as co-founder of the international World Apostolate of Fatima, John M. Haffert is a very important person for our fledgling World Apostolate of Fatima Honolulu Diocesan Division and because as a long time member of the WAF, I wanted to know everything I could learn about the man behind this renowned apostolate dedicated to our Lady of Fatima.

The book started off with an introduction to the apparitions in Fatima, and some personal background on John Haffert. The first chapter has John Haffert newly married to a lovely woman by the name of Anne.

"...they and their small estate are right out of F. Scott Fitzgerald's stories of the famed gold coast along New York's side of the Long Island Sound..."

But the similarity ends there because this young man was a very devout Catholic, husband, family man and God definitely had plans for him.

It was amazing to find out that a man whose name is almost synonymous with Fatima, was not familiar with the apparitions at Fatima in the very beginning.

I should mention that in order to familiarize herself fully with the subject of her book, Ms. McGrew did extensive research, read almost all, if not all of Mr. Haffert's books (he was very prolific) and conducted interviews.

The result was a very interesting, hard to put down book. I must confess to reading it every single day, before Holy Mass.

Ms. McGrew did not sugar-coat or canonize Mr. Haffert for the reader. No, she presented him as a real, human being who had struggles, faults, just like the rest of us. Yet, this man was a very holy man. His entire life was dedicated to God and His blessed Mother, whether through the Scapular of Mount Carmel or Our Lady of Fatima and the Blue Army pledges, he was determined to enlist more and more people in our Lady's growing army. It was the only way to fight the evils that assailed the world from the beginning of time. He took very seriously the idea that the Rosary and the Brown Scapular were weapons people everywhere, (and not only Catholics) could successfully use against the devil and his demons.

One of my favorite chapters is found almost at the end of the book. It is entitled "Power Players".

I am reluctant to share much on it for fear of spoiling the chapter for you but I know you will enjoy reading the following.

"John believed in the power of prayer and the need for power players. He was convinced that his Marian Apostolate would succeed only through the power of many prayerful individuals. He writes: "I had to find saints. And I made a conscious effort to do so. I cultivated the acquaintances of devout people."

Well, one power player was none other than Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta!

"When Mother Teresa heard of the Blue Army, she and all the members of her community, became early members. Not only did she visit the Blue Army Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Washington, NJ but she also gave lectures there.

To this day , her community regularly visits the Blue Army Shrine in Washington, NJ.

In addition, Mother Teresa's spiritual director and one of her principal confessors was the late Fr. John Hardon, S.J. whose canonization process has recently been introduced. He spent hundreds of hours giving conferences to the members of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity. In addition, for many years, Fr. Hardon was a chaplain of the World Apostolate of Fatima, Blue Army." (Bold emphasis is mine)

Well, how do you like that? I was so excited when I read this part, I think I interrupted my mom's prayers in Church to show this part to her.

The power player that I really was ecstatic to read about was none other than Saint Padre Pio.

..."John (Haffert) relates that Padre Pio was asked by one of his celebrated spiritual children, the Marquesa Boschi, whether it was a good idea to join the Blue Army. Padre Pio replied: 'This is not only an act of prayer -- it is also an apostleship. What better thing could you do?' John goes on to say that many people wanted to be Padre Pio's 'spiritual child'. But he did not accept all who asked because Padre Pio had promised: 'I shall stand at the gates of Paradise and shall not enter until all my spiritual children have entered.'

One day Msgr. Colgan asked Padre Pio if he would accept members of the Blue Army as his spiritual children. Padre Pio agreed but he stipulated: 'that they behave well.'

John and Msgr. Colgan interpreted this to mean that the Blue Army members should live up to their commitment. John considered Padre Pio to be the 'spiritual Father' of the Blue Army because of this promises that he made."

So you can see why I was so excited and ecstatic at reading about Padre Pio, the Blue Army Shrine and being his spiritual child!

Well, I think I had better let you read the rest of the book for yourselves.

I truly and highly recommend this wonderful book to everyone but especially those who are members of the Mary's Blue Army and those contemplating becoming a member.

The book is available at the following: Infinity Publishing toll free at (877)-289-2665. You can also order the book and/or get more information at their website: here

Also, you can find more information and read excerpts from John Haffert's biography on Edna McGrew's website:

Book Review - No Spirit..No Church

Fr. John Randall, S.T.D

Thanks to my friend Ed, I read Fr. John Randall's book No Spirit...No Church and had a hard time putting it down until I finished it. And, because of this book, I have learned to love and rely on the Holy Spirit even more.

Father Randall's book is more or less a memoir from the time he was a young seminarian until the present time. He writes from experience and sometimes what he writes is difficult to read especially when you see how the modernists have tried to change the church from within.

"In 1962, Blessed Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council on, as he said 'an inspiration of the Holy Spirit.' He wanted to open the windows and let a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit blow through the Church. In preparation for the Council, among other things, he delegated western theologians from Europe and America to compose an initial draft of the Constitution on the Church.

However, when the Council opened, bishops from the East, who always had a living devotion to the holy Spirit, read the draft and were horrified-there was little or no mention of the holy Spirit in it. They said, 'No Spirit, no Church!' and rejected the document. Subsequently, the Council fathers came up with a new version giving the Holy Spirit his due- The beautiful Dogmatic Constitution on the Church: Lumen Gentium. This helped open the door for a mass infusion of Holy Spirit life into the Church..."

His book at times brought memories of another book that looked at what happened in our seminaries during the 60's and especially the 70's and the 80's, Goodbye Good Men by Michael Rose.

Father Randall was not too enthusiastic upon the introduction to the Charismatic renewal upon his introduction to it. In fact, he used to refer to those folks as "holy rollers". Yet, it was the Holy Spirit working through people like Ralph Martin, Terry Martin (Mr. Martin's sister), and others mentioned in Father's book, many of whom were not Catholic but alive with the Holy Spirit, that Father was able to share "the hope of the victory that the Holy Spirit can bring about if we allow Him his central place in our lives".

The entire book is filled with stories from Father Randall's many years as a priest and events that occurred in the Church and outside the Church, but which affected life for Catholics such as abortion, etc.. He has many good things to say about many Protestants who are filled with the Holy Spirit as aforementioned. One in particular struck me immediately and that was in Father's praise and admiration of healer Benny Hinn. I guess I was one of those arrogant Catholics Father refers to, that used to mock Rev. Hinn until I read Father's book.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn to love and rely more on the "poor, forgotten Holy Spirit".

If you are interested in ordering Father Randall's book, please write him at Fr. John Randall at PO Box 114006, North Providence, Rhode Island 02911. I believe the cost is 10.00.

I leave you with a prayer from a Holy Card given to me by Ed and a friend from Church:

"Come, Holy Spirit"

Holy Spirit,
my Light, my Life, my Love, my Strength,
be with me now and always:
in all my doubts, anxieties and trials,
Come, Holy Spirit;
in hours of loneliness, weariness and grief,
Come, Holy Spirit;
in failure, in loss and in disappointment,
Come, Holy Spirit;
when others fail me, when I fail myself,
Come, Holy Spirit;
when I am ill, unable to work, depressed,
Come, Holy Spirit;
now, and forever, and in all things,
"Come, Holy Spirit"

Apostles of the Holy Spirit
2709 Woodburn Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45406-1724
Imprimatur: Mot Rev. Carl K. Moeddel,
Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati
April 29, 1998.

New Book Release - When Mike Kissed Emma

The book written by fellow Catholic blogger Chris from New Jersey, was released today.

Christine Marciniak

I received my copy directly from the author herself last week and I finished it a few days ago. I must say I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of the books I read when I was a teenager by authors such as Rosamond du Jardin and a few others whose names escape me at the moment, who wrote specifically for teen age girls. They wrote innocent books of young love and so does Chris.

The story was clever, clean and actually brought out emotions I was not expecting. There are characters I liked a great deal and some I really did not like at all. I attribute those emotions to charactistics of a good writer.

Another thing I liked about the book is that it takes place in one of my favorite states...New Jersey and it has a Catholic theme running throughout the story line.

Well done Chris. Will there be a sequel :-)

PART II - The Wrath of God: The Days of the Antichrist

My initial post on the book can be found here

Since one of my readers asked me to share more about Fr. Fanzaga's book, I thought I would share the following:

Betrayal of Believers and Growth of Apostasy

Father Fanzaga posed the question "How can it come about that Christianity, which once formed entire civilizations, will be reduced to a 'little flock'?

According to Monsignor Benson's (inadvertently referred to as "Father Benson" in my first post) gives us food for thought:

"The reduction of the Church to a 'little flock' comes about through the betrayal of Christians who, having absorbed Christianity, become tired of the faith and behave as the Galatians of whom Paul says: 'Are you people of Galatia mad? Has someone put a spell on you in spite of the plain explanations yo have had of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?..." [Gal. 3:1-5]

From a conversation in Benson's novel, the following question is posed:

"Was the fall of the Church a consequence of having lost faith or was it its cause?

The response in that conversation:

the fall of the Church was brought about by loss of faith. The faithful rejected the faith. They fell because of internal collapse. The religious deception is well advanced.

When I read this part again, it was obvious that is what Fr. John Corapi was trying to emphasize on his recent appearances on EWTN. He was addressing the wake-up call Catholics recently had in Connecticut as well as the other evils that we are faced with now on an almost daily basis. He pointed out that only 20% of "Catholics" go to Church regularly. He was sure that if all those Catholics were firm Catholics (I'm paraphrasing) we could stand up to these evils.

Father also firmly stated that we need to wake up and not be complacent. Father said the days of it being enough to go to Sunday Mass are not enough. We need to be watchful and be ready and also as importantly, not to be fearful.

There are two important themes in the Benson novel:

1. The Church cannot be broken by external persecution. Father Fanzaga quotes Tertullian's believe that external persecution strengthens the Church. The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.

2. The Church falls because of internal betrayal and infidelity.

The infidelity referred to due is "our desire to diminish God and replace Him with ourselves and our desire for this world".

According to Benson's novel, one of the movements which prepared for the arrival of the Antichrist was that of "Free Ecclesiastics":

"Then there was a strange little movement among the Free Churchmen even earlier: when ministers who did no more than follow the tide--who were sensitive to draughts, so to speak--broke off from their old positions. It is customary to read in the history of the times how they were hailed as independent thinks...

Fr. Fanzaga praises the foresight that Benson had in 1907 when he wrote the novel. It was then that he envisioned the erosion of the Holy Bible's authority as a Sacred Book. This would in turn change Christianity to a religion that denied the divinity of Christ. There would be "a desire for emancipation on the part of a clergy which no longer perceives its supernatural state, loses its identity, abandons celibacy and which becomes absorbed by the world."

Father Fanzaga here reminds us that in the 1970's the Church who had 400,000 priests, lost 80,000 of them.

Here is a little more on that new religion...new Christianity:

Benson did not perceive that atheism would cause the crisis of faith but instead the rise of a new religion which deifies man. This new religion would have its ministers, own rites, own ceremonies, etc.

..."Churches and abbeys will be transformed into temples of the new religion of humanitarianism and the Mass will be displaced by the celebration of the new rites. The statue of Christ will disappear and in its place the statue of 'man' will be raised up in the form of 'Apollo,' symbol of corporeal beauty and virility. The statues of 'maternity' and 'fertility' will replace those of Our Lady. Former priests will defect to the new religion...While churches in which Christ is still adored and Our Lady honored will be empty, those of the new religion will be filled to capacity....

Man will go to Church to worship himself...The crisis of faith is the crisis of the supernatural. Man no longer believes in something beyond his own reason...

The 'new age' phenomenon corresponds exactly to the growth of the new humanitarian religion which denies a transcendent God and exalts man and his resources into an absolute...

Who is the Antichrist?

I would like to add a little more to Fr. Fanzaga's interpretation of Benson's Antichrist is as follows:

The person of the Antichrist is manifest at the center of the great schism of man from God. He is at the heart of man's self-deification. He is the one whome Paul calls 'the man of iniquity.' He is the supreme manifestation of humanitarian religion. It is impossible to separate the Antichrist from the specific context of apostasty, loss of faith and rebellion against God.

Wrath of God: The Days of the Antichrist

"Who is the Antichrist?"
..."I am convinced that Christians should free themselves from the idea that the Antichrist can come from anywhere, Heaven or Hell, and that he will manifest himself s an evil person who will impose his dominion by force. Dear friends, the contrary is the case. The Antichrist will appear in a very specific context--that of the triumph of the spirit of the world in the form of the religion of man. From a human point of view he will be a fascinating person. From a natural perspective he will be the best human being produced by nature. He will be proclaimed as Lord and God by all the churches of the world which he will have reordered for the adoration of man. Everything will be done through conviction and not through force.

With the eyes of faith we can see him as the incarnation of the Devil and the supreme manifestation of evil. From a worldly perspective, however, he will regarded as one of the greatest men ever to have been born. He will possess an incredible power to seduce man. He will possess in himself a fascination for everything beautiful that nature has ever produced. For this reason, perhaps, Christians will find it difficult to see him for what he is...Fr. Livio Fanzaga.

A few years ago, one of my good friends not only highly recommended Fr. Fanzaga's book Wrath of God: The Days of the Antichrist, she loaned it to me. I picked it up, tried reading it but I could not get interested in it. That was the end of that and I put the book out of my mind.

Since it was Lent, I decided to finally read this book and I haven't been able to put it down.

Fr. Livio Fanzaga is a well known Catholic writer in Italy. He is known as the "radio priest". This book consists of the transcripts of two of Father's radio broadcasts in 1993-1994 on Radio Maria. In those broadcasts, Fr. Lanzaga tackled the topic of the Antichrist, based mainly on two works of literature: A Short Tale of the Antichrist by Vladimir Soloviev and Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson.

Soloviev saw the Antichrist as follows:

..."[he] was a convinced idealist. He believed in the Good, even in God, but he only loved himself. The inordinate pride of the great idealist seemed justified both by his exceptional genius, beauty and nobility, and his lofty asceticism, disinterestedness and active philanthropy....

...At the beginning he has no hostility against Jesus. He recognized his good intention and his lofty teaching. Three things about Jesus were unacceptable to him: firstly, his moral preoccupations; then his claim to uniqueness; and the third thing the Antichrist could not accept about Christ was that He lives, so much so that he screams to himself repeatedly: "He is not living, He is not and shall not be! He rotted in the tomb, rotted like the lowest...!"

There is so much that I could go into greater detail of Father's analysis of the Antichrist such as his political and social agendas. Since space does not permit, I will focus on the Antichrist's religious agenda.

Of course, the Antichrist doesn't introduce himself to the world as such. He instead declares himself to be emperor of the world.

Why his interest in religion? It is because it is his objective to eradicate Christianity, ..."after which he knows that he will have no difficulty in brushing away all other religions."

"At the time of the Antichrist the number of believers will be greatly reduced. In the whole world Christians will number no more than forty-five million.

A great apostasy is taking place. The program of political and social reform, so successfully carried through, seems to satisfy man's every desire and need. Many are enchanted by the new religion of humanitarianism and have turned their backs on the faith. What the Gospel says of false prophets has come to pass (cf. Mt. 23:11 ff; Mc 12:22). The greatest of these is the Antichrist."

In one powerful section of the book, the Antichrist decides to call the religions together to a council which he will lead. It is to be held in Jerusalem.

Soloviev's tale on how only a "tiny flock" will remain is very intriguing. Those who stand firm and who will expose the Antichrist will be Pope Peter II of the Catholic Church, the unofficial leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Starets John and a a religious Protestant professor named Ernst Pauli.

"The Antichrist attempts to unite the Church and end all divisions among Christians. Finally, he, and not Christ, is savior of the Church...

The emperor transfers his residence to Jerusalem...Only one temple will be erected. It will be an imperial temple in which all religions will be united.

But who will be adored in this temple? The man made god, the Antichrist, will be worshiped in this temple. "

This emperor soon to be exposed as the Antichrist as aforesaid, speaks to all present in a soothing, seemingly concerned tone and manner.

"Dear brother Catholics! oh, how well I understand your view and how I should like to find support for my power in the authority of your spiritual head! ....I solemnly declare: in accordance with my autocratic will the chief bishop of all Catholics, the Pope of Rome is henceforth restored to his Roman See with all the rights and privileges that had ever been given it by my predecessors beginning with Emperor Constantine the Great.

Ah, but what does this benevolent ruler want in return:

"And all I want of you, brother-Catholics, is an inner heart-felt recognition of me as your only defender and patron. Let those who regard me as such in their heart and conscience come to me here.' And he pointed to the empty seats on the platform."

How do the Catholics respond to this request? How would each and everyone of us react if we were given the choice? I have been thinking and praying about this a lot lately.

"With joyful cries 'Gratias agimus! Domine, salvum fac magnum imperatorem' almost all the princes of the Catholic Church, cardinals and bishops, the majority of believing laymen and more than half the monks went up on the platform and after low bows to the emperor, took their seats there."

It appears that the Catholics have abandoned the Catholic Church for the promises of the Antichrist. So, what happened to the Church?

"But down below in the middle of the hall, straight and immovable as a marble statue, the Pope, Peter II sat in his place."

Where the pope is, there too is the Church.

Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia

"All who had surrounded him were on the platform. But the thinned ranks of monks and laymen closed around him, forming a narrow ring, and a restrained whisper came from there. "Non praevalebunt, non praevalebunt porte inferni.'"

And so, after the Emperor finishes with the Catholics, he addresses the Russian Orthodox in a similar manner and then the Protestants. It is quite moving reading about how the leaders of the other two Christian religions unite with the Catholic Pope and his tiny flock.

In the second part of his book, Father Fanzaga analyzes the Antichrist in Father Robert Hugh Benson's Lord of the World.

Julian Felsenburgh is the name of Benson's Antichrist. Unlike Soloviev's European born Antichrist, Felsenburgh is an American.

According to Fr. Fazgana:

"Benson presents a positive image of the Antichrist. It is a portrait of a politician of high human qualities. He is calm, serene, educated, a pacifist and a universalist. He can bring people into the way of justice, prosperity and peace. There will be no more misery or violence at the time of his appearance. Instead there will be perfect concord and fulfillment of the materialist ideal as well as that of Masonry and communism.

Catholicism alone will resist him.

At the end of the Benson novel, there is a "settling of accounts" by two armies. The Humanitarians who followed the religious deception of the Antichrist and the tiny flock of the Catholic Church, led by the Vicar of Christ.

The book is very interesting reading. It was hard to put down. I suggest that if you do read it to do so with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Holy Bible at your side for references to many of Father Fanzaga's citations.

Father does delve into several possibilities regarding the coming of the Antichrist and the end of the world according to two main writers as well as his own interpretation.

A red flag did go up when I saw Father Fanzaga referring to works of controversial Maria Valtorta, until I realized he was not focusing on her spiritual writings such as the Poem of the Man-God, but instead of the context of her description of the Antichrist. He even offers a disclaimer about her works as the Vatican has cautioned.

I highly recommend this book. In searching for another copy for my family, I noticed that it is very expensive to obtain. It is more affordable when buying from an online Catholic book supplier.

If you are interested in reading the two novels referred to in Father Fanzaga's book, you can find them online at the following:

Lord of the World by Robert Hugh Benson

Note: I found a blog writer who has attempted to translate Soloviev's book from the original Russian. Source: here If you read Russian, then you can read the book in the original Russian by clicking a link on that blog. BTW, the complete title is The Three Dialogues and the Story of the Antichrist by Vladimir Sergeyevich Soloviev.